Welcome to Restaurant Marketing: The Ultimate Guide to Modern Restaurant Marketing. In an industry where competition is fierce, margins are tight, and customer expectations shift faster than ever, simply having great food is no longer enough. Success today hinges on the ability to attract, engage, and retain guests through strategic, creative, and data-driven marketing. This book is your complete guide to doing just that.

My name is Robert Ancill, and I’ve spent over 30 years helping restaurants around the world launch, grow, and thrive. From working with over 500 restaurant openings across 24 countries, to launching more than 89 new brands, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolution of restaurant marketing, from traditional grassroots tactics to the cutting-edge AI tools of today. I wrote this book to share everything I’ve learned, so you can build a brand that not only stands out, but endures.

Inside the 250+ pages in this book, you’ll find proven strategies and practical advice tailored for restaurateurs, marketers, operators, and hospitality professionals alike. Whether you’re opening your first café, revitalizing a legacy brand, or managing a fast-growing multi-unit concept, this book offers the insights you need to master today’s marketing landscape.

From the power of interior design in shaping brand perception, to the principles of Four Walls Marketing, and the impact of local store marketing (LSM), we’ll cover the fundamentals. You’ll also dive deep into modern essentials: search engine optimization (SEO), social media optimization (SMO), online reputation management, loyalty programs, and how to harness AI and predictive analytics to personalize your guest experience at scale.

We’ll explore the differences between SEO and SMO, the rising stars of the social media world (including a spotlight on platforms like Atmosfy), and how to manage third-party delivery without sacrificing your brand. You’ll also learn how to execute compelling product promotions, leverage your website as a marketing engine, and implement email and SMS marketing that delivers real results.

This isn’t just a marketing textbook, it’s a toolkit. Full of checklists, real-world examples, and future-forward strategies, Restaurant Marketing: The Ultimate Guide will help you turn marketing into a core pillar of your restaurant’s success.

Welcome!